Liberal National Party member Luke Howarth drops f-bomb at Turnbull media conference

FOOTAGE has emerged of a Liberal National Party MP swearing under his breath in front of Malcolm Turnbull when the PM was asked a question about women.

LNP member Luke Howarth was caught swearing at a reporter at a press conference. Picture: Sky

LIBERAL National Party member Luke Howarth has been busted dropping the f-bomb at a press conference with Malcolm Turnbull.

Standing with the prime minister and Queensland LNP leader Tim Nicholls in Nudgee, Queensland, Mr Howarth was caught swearing under his breath when a reporter asked Mr Turnbull about the absence of female MPs in the state.

“On your trip to Queensland yesterday you were with a male MP Trevor Evans. Now you’re with a male federal MP and a state MP,” the reporter said.

“Then later today you’re going to another event with two male MPs. Would you like to see more females along LNP ranks in Queensland?”

OPINION: You’re right Luke, this situation is ‘f***ed’

Malcolm Turnbull, Luke Howarth and Queensland LNP leader Tim Nicholls in Brisbane. Picture: AAP

Mumbling under his breath, the frustrated member shot back at the reporter: ““Oh this f***”.

Mr Turnbull did an admirable job of ignoring him, saying: “Well we all look forward to seeing more women represented in Parliament.”

RELATED: Turnbull drops ‘mid-air c-bomb’ over Abbott

Questions were raised over the absence of female MPs after Tony Abbott posted a photo on Twitter of a Q&A session with the Newtown Young Liberals.

Eagle-eyed social media users pointed out the lack of women among a sea of male attendees.

Invigorating Q&A session with the Newtown Young Liberals on the merits of Western Civilisation last night. pic.twitter.com/f5WlRun6Rp

— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) September 19, 2017

The ladies sat outside, of course. All that man-talk might overheat their brains. pic.twitter.com/ukPi8o55e7

— Kaptain Kobold (@KaptainKobold) September 19, 2017

Looks like it was nearly all young men. Why is it liberals dont or cant attract women?

— Tracey Withhope (@traceywithhope) September 19, 2017

This photo is awful and precisely why no one wants you back as PM. If you don't see the problem you ARE the problem.

— Rachael Lonergan 🌈 (@RachaelHasIdeas) September 19, 2017

holy crap, there's a woman in the audience, just the one so it should be okay for the boys to have a beer and smash a few tables later

— Wampy (@AussieRock) September 19, 2017

Mr Howarth’s told News Corp Australia that he was frustrated at the question but admitted he was “guilty”.

“I said it under my breath because I was frustrated at the question so I’m guilty. I’m sorry if people heard it,” he said.

“I made a comment after the prime minister that we have two assistant ministers in Queensland in the government that are both women... in my federal seat I have four state seats and three of the candidates are women.

“I guess I was just frustrated that someone asked a question like that. Even though I wasn’t in front of the microphone I shouldn’t have said it.”

Originally published as Liberal National Party member Luke Howarth drops f-bomb at Turnbull media conference